Swiss Parabellum Pistols

[CLASSIC12]

I’ve recently added a few examples of Swiss Parabellum pistols (also called Swiss Luger in the US) to the herd and now have an nice representative assortment

Switzerland was amongst the first countries to adopt Georg Luger’s pistol in 1900 (based on Hugo Borchardt’s C 93), after testing the (scarce) semi automatic competition of the day. The original caliber was the bottlenecked 7.65 mm Parabellum, i.e. .30 Luger.

5000 Parabellum model 1900 were produced at DWM (Deutsche Waffen und Munitionsfabrik) in Berlin and delivered between 1900 and 1906, numbered 1 to 5000. Mine is # 2882 and was made in 1904 and is in an exceptional condition for its age

















In 1906 the Swiss ordered more Parabellum pistols from DWM however with some modifications: coil mainspring instead of the somewhat fragile lead spring one, newly designed slide and extractor… Those were produced from 1906 until 1914 (Parabellum model 1906 DWM) and numbered from 5001 to 15215. Mine is number 8759, was made in 1908 and oddly privatised to civilian life in 1943 (P43 marking). This one shows a bit more wear.









World War I interrupted the supply from Germany, and in 1918 the Swiss decided to manufacture their own Parabellum in Waffenfabrik Bern, which was the state Arsenal. They were produced from 1918 until 1933 (Parabellum model 1906 Waffenfabrik or W+F and sometimes incorrectly named 1906/24 or 06/24) and numbered from 15251 to 33089.

Mine is number 21134 and was made in 1923. It’s the first one I bought and I’ve put several thousand rounds through it, including military style competitions. Still in very nice shape.











As can be seen, the German made and Swiss made pistols are almost identical

[CLASSIC12]

By 1929, the Swiss had tested several other semi automatic pistols but decided to remain faithful to the Parabellum pistol. However they simplified the manufacturing process by effecting several changes in order to be more cost effective. The grip is now straight, all checkered or serrated small parts are now smooth and blued. And the grips are made of various “modern” materials instead of wood. The pistols are still very well made and extremely accurate though.

The Parabellum Waffenfabrik model 1906/29 or 06/29 was produced from 1933 until 1946, numbered from 50001 to 77941.

My first one is number 51280 and was made in April 1933. It has red canevasite grips and magazine bottom. Canevasite is a phenol resin. Quite fragile back then








And then I bought a later one, number 58925, made in 1940, now with brown Bakelite grips and magazine bottom.











Pretty much identical except for grips and magazine bottoms.
The last serie was made with black Bakelite grips.





Family photos

[hobby-gunsmith]

I purchased my 1929 Swiss Luger 7.65 mm Waffen fabrik bern 15 years ago and is in very good to excellent condition with serial number 69252. I was able to find a box for it and is one of my favorite guns. Great selection on your side.
Nick

[Golddollar]

Those are all beautiful pieces. Thank you for the exhibition and the history lesson.

[Imissedagain]

Classic12,
Always appreciate your sharing of knowledge and firearms.

I can't recall any 460 or 500 Smiths.
Are they an Avalanche issue?

[CLASSIC12]

Did I mention these pistols were very accurate?

Some targets at 25 m









And at 50 m







I’ve heard Mauser bought the manufacturing equipment from Waffenfabrik Bern and built some Parabellum after the Swiss pattern in the 70ies. By sheer coincidence, two shooting buddies came to the range with two such pistols, only 3 digits apart

[CLASSIC12]

Update : I thought I could live without the missing one, the last batch produced with black Bakelite grips. I was wrong. And the LGS had five of them. It seems that sadly old collectors are dropping like flies and plenty of those guns are on the market, which makes them cheap ($ 900 for a very nice 1906/29 with holster and 2nd mag).





Holster made in 1942



Gun made in Ferbruary 1943











The three colours of 1906/29. Red, brown and black





Updated family photo

[BrovoEchoSierra]

Thank you for sharing your knowledge and your collection with us!
I've had a little interest in Lugers for a while now, but have not pulled the trigger.
The Swiss were wonderful craftsman, and I would be just fine with a Swiss Luger, as I have a K31, and a K11 to go with it.
Might have to look for one of those. Did not realize it was possible to own one at the price you paid. I would have probably jumped on that one!

[CLASSIC12]

Update 06/34

Shortly before Christmas I visited my favourite LGS. He had just brought in a large assortment of Swiss weapons

Straight pull rifles (G11, K11, K31)



K31 with diopter sights



Stgw 57



And a good selection of Parabellum pistols



I was attracted by one that was not priced yet

In May 1930, MauserWerke in Oberndorf took over the machines from DWM in Berlin to produce Parabellum pistols

They produced commercial models for Switzerland, based on the Swiss pattern, 12 cm barrel, approx 4 3/4 in, 7.65 mm Parabellum caliber / .30 Luger and a grip safety. They have Swiss proof marks (and no German ones).

The first ones were made of existing parts, so still wore the DWM logo and a Swiss cross in a sun. As of 1934 they wore the Mauser banner. Dubbed the 1906/34 or 06/34, some 700 are believed to have been produced, so it’s quite rare and in that beautiful condition with matching number mag, it will be priced in the 5 grand region (meaning it won’t join my family).

[CptCurl]

CLASSIC12,

Thanks for sharing your collection and your knowledge of these historic pistols.

I have a couple of Swiss Parabellums. One is a post-WW1 commercial chambered in 7.65:









I posted more details of this pistol here: http://smith-wessonforum.com/firearm...#post140493042





The other is the very last 1902 Carbine known:


(Click for full resolution.)



I posted a comprehensive thread about this pistol here: DWM 1902 Carbine - 7.65mm ~ S/N 50100





I wish I had more. Your 1900 is splendid!

Curly

[pmanton]

I really love those early ones with the dished toggles.

[HOUSTON RICK]

I envy your collection.

[CLASSIC12]

I bought a seventh one, a 1913 made DWM model 1906













So now with the 1908 made one I have a pair













There is a notable difference though : the first series has the Swiss cross in a starburst, the second series has it in a shield. LGS also told me that the second series was assembled in Switzerland.

[PALADIN85020]

Excellent collection!

A caveat - the Bakelite grips in particular are very fragile. They get more so as they age. I have a Sauer 38H with such grips, and thank gosh they are still intact. Be very careful, and you might want to shoot guns with Bakelite grips with substitute grips made of wood or more modern plastics.

John

[murphydog]

I recently saw a small number of the later 6" guns for sale over here, priced at $2495.